Dhanbad Municipal Corporation held a camp at Katrasgarh on Monday to accept applications for allotment of water connections to the people of Katras, the move a welcome fallout of residents protest against the slow progress of the Rs 144 crore water project.

“More than 44 applications for water connections were received till 3pm,” said councilor of Ward No. 1 Vinod Goswami, who was also present at the camp along with chief executive officer of Katras circle Rajendra Prasad.

Prasad said applicants would be allotted connections within two days, provided they ALSO submitted THEIR holding tax at the earliest. Monday’s camp was held at Katrasgarh. Many more such camps have been planned throughout the camp. On Tuesday, the corporation will be holding a camp at Shabir Khan Memorial Hall in Chatatand and on Wednesday at Katras office of Dhanbad corporation.

Goswami, along with hundreds of people, launched an indefinite dharna from March 30 to protest against the delay in implementation of the Katras water supply scheme.

But, senior corporation officials, led by deputy chief executive officer Siddharth Shankar Chaudhary, accompanied by former land revenue minister Mathura Prasad Mahto, convinced the protesters and promised them water connections from Monday.

Deputy mayor of Dhanbad Niraj Singh said besides water connections for the Katras project, connections would also be allotted for the Maithon water supply scheme.

“Dhanbad corporation is planning to add around 20,000 more water connections during the new financial year in order to increase its revenue base. Apart from the camps, people can also submit their applications at the corporation office, too,” he added.